Pat's View: Inspirational stories

You Can Discover Treasures in God's Word like the Father of Oceanography

Beauty for Ashes

Isaiah 61:3 shows us a dynamic picture of Jesus the Joy Bringer comforting the mourer.  to console the mourners in Zion— to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.   There are many reasons people grieve, but Jesus brings beauty out of ashes!

God's Love Letter for You

https://www.patriciaholland.org/home/gods-love-letter/ Have you ever received a love letter that was so precious to you that you had to save it…tuck it away in a safe place. So amazing that through the years you retrieved it again and again to savor the sweet words? It’s only a jumble of words, written on plain piece of paper, stuffed inside an envelope, but if you’re the recipient then you know the power of a love letter. Every word, every single word is pure gold. Every word is read an...

Choice_to_rejoice_cards.pdf

I am so sorry if you came to this to .pdf to listen to this podcast. I made a mistake. I just changed the challenge. Here's the link for the postcast download link for audio. https://traffic.libsyn.com/patriciaholland/choice_to_rejoice.mp3   I'd love to hear from you if you want to join the 7 Day A Choice to Rejoice Challenge. Here's the sign up for the challenge. https://forms.aweber.com/form/34/293103234.htm

Waiting on God's Promise to be Fulfilled? Do What Abraham did.

Hey! You can learn more about me at https://www.patriciaholland.org Have you ever opened your Bible and a promise seemed to jump off the page? I mean it came so alive to you that if felt like it was written just for you? So of course, you reread the verse. It felt like God was talking to you personally and that this promise was for you. And because you understand the power of stewarding the Word of God, you probably opened your Prayer Journal and wrote it out long hand. Whether you typed i...

Can God Still Do Miracles?

https://www.patriciaholland.org/ A dad was desperate to find help for his son. When he finally got to Jesus, he questioned him, "If you can? Please help us." He wasn't even certain that Jesus could help his son. People still wonder about Jesus. Some even come to Him with that question. And Jesus' answer hasn't changed. He still answers..."All things are possible to him who believes!" I love the dad's answer. I think Jesus did too.

Danger of the Drift Spiritual Disciplines

https://www.patriciaholland.org Paul's warning is concise and direct in Hebrews 2:1 "We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away." He warns believers that we must be careful to keep the main thing the main thing, so we don't drift from our priority of putting Jesus first. The trends and currents of responsibilities, desires and cravings can distract us and cause us to drift from the Truth. That drift can be disastrous. So pract...

Are you exhausted? Need Some Rest?

Does exhausted describe you? Maybe you're mentally exhausted or simply physically exhausted because you've been BUSY!? Or maybe you are BOTH Man, I know I've been there! And it’s not that you’re goofing around. Maybe you're giving it all you got, it’s just you ain’t got any more to give it?  Or maybe you're rested and full of vim and zest, ready for anything! But I would guess that you can still identify with that feeling of total exhaustion. If exhausted describes you, now or at some po...

How Praying in Tongues Helps You Experience God's Rest for Your Soul

Just like your body and mind needs rest, so does your soul. But how do we experience soul rest? I am convinced that Isaiah 28: 14 and 1 Corinthians 14:21 shows us that speaking or praying in tongues is a key to experiencing rest for our soul.   When I was 12 years old I was filled with Precious Holy Spirit. It changed the trajectory of my life.   I've written a book about Holy Spirit. It will help you know Him so you can enjoy the benefits of Spirit filled living. For a limited time ...

Plug in to Holy Spirit Power

I absolutely love the picture that Acts 10:38 NLT gives us of Jesus. “And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” Do you read it only as an accurate recording of a historical event?   If you do then you walk away informed, but powerless. Does that verse excite you?  Does it inspire you…does it make you want to see the sick healed? Does...

Holy Spirit Another Advocate

In John 14:16 Jesus promised His disciples…” And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—   The words “Another Advocate” are very insightful words so let’s unpack them.   When I was 12 years old I was filled with Precious Holy Spirit. It launched me into a life long journey of discovering the Word and the Spirit.   I've written a book about Holy Spirit. It will help you know Him so you can enjoy the benefits of Spirit filled living. For...

What Does the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit?

In this video I give you another bite sized teaching on Precious Holy Spirit. I dig deeper into 2 Corinthians 13:14. Is Holy Spirit your friend? Is He? Can Holy Spirit be your friend? https: www.patriciaholland.org I mean, according to the Bible, can Holy Spirit be your friend? And, does it even matter?   I am convinced it does. I believe with all my heart that God wants to use you. I believe God wants to increase your influence. I believe God wants to pour His love, power, heali...

Who is the Holy Spirit? He is God.

Do you have questions about who Holy Spirit is and what He does in a believer's life? Many believers see His name, Holy Spirit, in the Bible and don't have any idea Who He is. We need to know Him. He is important enough to take the time to learn about Him. Many churches celebrate Pentecost Sunday without really understanding what it is. It's an important day, when we celebrate both the Word and the Holy Spirit. (If you don’t know why I say that, then you need to get my book Precious Holy...

In the Name of Jesus

An event happened at the Gate Beautiful that was even more beautiful than its setting. A 40-year-old crippled man was healed. The religious leaders overlooked the miracle because Peter and John's message of Jesus and His resurrection didn't fit in their neat little religious box. They were distraught! 7They had Peter and John brought in and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of...

Did Jesus Close His Eyes on the Cross?

Have you ever felt so disgusted with someone that you didn’t even want to look at them? (I 'll talk about that in this podcast.) Or maybe you’ve felt that you were so disgusting that you didn’t want anyone to see you? (I 'll talk about that in this podcast.) An even more important question is does God ever get so disgusted with us that He looks away? (I 'll talk about that in this podcast.) Did Jesus close his eyes when He was hanging on the cross…I mean, after all the miracles, all th...

Pursue You Will Recover All David at Ziklag

Pursue You Will Recover All Go get ‘em! Are you God’s child? Do you realize what that means? Do you realize that God wants you to walk in victory? Yet, it’s not automatic. We have a role to play. We see that clearly in David’s life when he faced a hopeless situation at Ziklag. Instead, of accepting defeat, he asked God what to do. God said, Pursue Them You Will Recover All! It’s never as easy as it sounds…but David would tell you it’s worth it. It could be a line from a bank robbery scen...

Do Something!

4 Ways to Keep Your Relationship with God a Priority!

For more inspirational stories go to Blog - Patricia Holland Have you ever hung around a salty Christian and left wanting to have a deeper relationship with Jesus? That’s what happened to my friend Rhonda. After watching the War Room, she said, “I want to pray like Clara.”   Rhonda did something that most people don’t do. Rhonda took action on her desire to have a closer relationship with God. One of the first things that changes when we want more of God is how we pray. Our prayer takes on...

Say It with Flowers- Why you need to know the Fireweed's Secret

Say it with flowers is more than a clever florist mantra. From the lowly dandelion all the way to the brightest red rose they say "I love you", when they are given to us by someone special. My camera is always full of flower pictures, but the fireweed, yes, it is a weed, is one of my favorites. Maybe, it is my favorite because it has a secret that is important to you. Why is the fireweed’s secret important to you? Is the fireweed’s secret really important to you? If you’ve ever felt ordina...

5 Bible Verses to Help you Fight Anxiety

It is so easy to get anxious or become fearful when things are happening around you, or maybe even in your body. It's easy to become anxious, but you don't have to give in to the pressure of life. You don't have to live under the circumstances. You can be strong in the Lord. I want to help you face and fight anxiety with God's Word. In today's teaching, I'm going to give you 2 ways that will help you know how to fight anxiety. And so, you don’t miss them, I’m going to give you the 2 way...

How do I get God's strength?

Ever had someone tell you something you should have already known, but someone the obvious escaped you? I have. Many times. Many times! Can I tell you something in the kindness way I know how. Something that you know, but may be so busy, so distracted that you don't realize you don't REALLY know it?  Well, instead of telling you...I'm going to share how a stranger told me the truth in a shocking way. And I'm so glad he did! This session is on how you can lean into or how you can get ...

Are You at the End of Your Strength?

Are you living like your strength is enough? Are you at the end of your strength?   Have you ever craned your neck back, then even further back in order to size up the situation you were facing much like David did when he faced Goliath?   Maybe you are standing there right now. As you sized up the situation, you realized that your muscles, your strength and your ability were absolutely inadequate for the fight you were facing? Standing there, facing your giant, you KNOW, absolutely k...

God is my Strength

When we were preparing to go to Alaska I did more than pack my suitcase, I got ready physically. I wanted to see some sights. Some of those sites meant I would have to do some climbing and that requires using some muscles that I don’t regularly use. I started working out…twice a day. I exercised because I didn’t want to miss anything. I wanted to have more energy, more stamina so I could hike further and see more while I was there. I am convinced we need to do that spiritually as well. We’ve...

Rejoice in the Lord

  Did you listen to my podcast “A Choice to Rejoice?” I hardly got that post up before my joy was tested! So, I dug deeper. When I did, I was reminded that processes can help us get keep us on track or sometimes help us get back on track. In this teaching I want to share a process, maybe more like a recipe that will help you have more joy. I want to challenge you to go beyond being happier; to go all the way to joy. I want to define rejoice from the lens of Scripture, because it is a key t...

Make a Choice to Rejoice

Making a good decision is the first step toward success. This year I've made a choice to rejoice in the Lord. I'm not waiting until everything is perfect. Habakkuk made that choice, he said I will rejoice in the LORD. In this post I share how this one decision impacted Habakkuk's life and what it can do for you. That decision is especially important this year. This is my first post this year, so I really want to say...but maybe I'm too late to say it now? There's no doubt that I am lat...

Keep Believing Because

What do you do when it looks like nothing is happening? You keep believing. But what about, when you have prayed really hard and nothing has changed? You keep praying. You keep believing.   But what do you do when things get worse instead of better? You trust God. You keep believing!   If you’re like me, then you’re struggling with all you see going on around you? It’s discouraging, but we put our trust in God and keep believing! I preached this sermon a few years ago, but it...

Where the River Goes... Life Flows

Devotion Outline Where the river goes…life grows.   The account of the Samaritan woman's encounter with Jesus at the well is an amazing story of transformation. I am so thankful that Jesus still transforms people today.   Yet, I am convinced there is a powerful encouragement in this account that ever believer needs to be reminded of today.  Too much is going on around us, for you to miss the whisper of Jesus to come drink.   Devotion Outline I am a Southern girl through and...

God is Good My Alaska Prayer & Preaching Adventure

We were blessed to be able to take an Alaska Prayer & Preaching Adventure. God knew it was a desire of my heart and He opened the door. I want to share with my adventure with you- not to brag on me, but to brag on Jesus. God was so good to us. Nahum 1:7 NIV The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, Places we went Girdwood Forest Ranger, not Park Ranger Walked along a waterfall. Saw a bear rambling and ambling through unlocked out buildings...

Looking at Jesus with Fresh Eyes

Who is Jesus in your life? Who is He to you? Can you say "And this I know!" The Jewish leaders in Jerusalem wanted to know…so they sent priests and Levites to ask John himself. Who are you, John? There must have been a hint that they thought he might be the promised one from God. The crowds that came…the baptisms? Could John be the Messiah. John, came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.” Then who are you? Are you Elijah? No. I can see him shaking his head firmly. Are you the P...

2 Great Reasons You Can be Filled With Hope

It’s risky work! It’s expensive to plant a crop. The machinery. The fertilizer. The time. And there’s no guarantee that he will have a good harvest. It’s risky…but a farmer plants because he has hope. Hope is powerful.   It motivates. It inspires. It changes the monotonous into meaningful. So even though it is risky, he plants because he has hope. His hopes are not based on fantasy! That hope is bolstered by educated practices and past harvests- his harvest and those of...

Are you looking for hope in all the wrong places?

“Well, I hope so,” doesn’t sound like hope at all. It’s flimsy, wimpy and empty. We speak of hope more often than we believe in it. Hope in the Bible isn’t the weak word we use in our culture. Instead, it is a living hope, throbbing and powerful. It produces action, steadfastness and stability. 1 Peter 1:3 ESV “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ...

This Is A War You Can Win

Why you shouldn’t opt-out of the Spiritual War that is going on right now! 1. You have an enemy that wants to kill, steal and destroy you! 2. There are people depending on you, family, friends and neighbors. 3. You were made to win this war! The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Cor 10:4 As believers, we need to understand the war that is raging. The Senators and citizens of Washington DC on July...

Why does it matter to you that God is watching over His Word?

God is watching over His Word! Why is that truth important to you? Does that truth change what you do and how you react to delayed victories? It was a revelation that God gave to Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, to help him fulfil his assignment. Without the confidence in that revelation. You need to grip this reality to help you fulfill your assignment too! Do you have some prayers that have not seen answered? Do you have a prodigal that you are desperate to see their life turned arou...

What you don't know CAN hurt you.

  I’ve gone to church all my life, but when I was twelve years old I heard something that forever changed my life. Actually, it was more than just hearing that changed me…it was believing that changed me! This may need some explaining, because it wasn’t just hearing or believing…it was receiving that changed me forever! I’ve never looked at God’s Word the same. I’ve never been the same…let me do that explaining with an illustration!    There's a reason they call it a Smart phone Seve...

How to Receive Holy Spirit

I was twelve years old when I receiving the Holy Spirit. My friendship with Him has been priceless...He has walked with me all these years as comforter, guide, power source and help. I am so thankful for The Father's Promise fulfilled at Pentecost. I want to share with you how you can be filled with Holy Spirit. Maybe you already have been filled with Holy Spirit. Then this teaching will help you share with a friend or loved one how they can be filled with Holy Spirit. I'd love to give y...

Another Reason I am so Glad Holy Spirit is My Friend

www.patriciaholland.org/blog I love transparency When it’s coming from someone else. I don’t like to be vunerable but here goes.   I judge people way more often than I want to admit. I don’t even want to admit it to God. I know judging people is wrong.   It’s especially hard when they ask for my advice and then totally disregard it. Then they want me to bail them out when they get in a pinch! AHHHHH! So hard NOT to judge the heart behind the action.   But if I require, or wan...

Ever need help with a bad attitude?

www.patriciaholland.org/blog I love transparency When it’s coming from someone else. I don’t like to be vunerable but here goes.   I judge people way more often than I want to admit. I don’t even want to admit it to God. I know judging people is wrong.   It’s especially hard when they ask for my advice and then totally disregard it. Then they want me to bail them out when they get in a pinch! AHHHHH! So hard NOT to judge the heart behind the action.   But if I require, or wan...

How to Hear God's Voice

www.patriciaholland.org Are you sensing the need to hear God’s voice? I have walked through some things recently where I have felt like I was walking through a minefield and every step was a matter of life and death. I’ve been desperately aware that Precious Holy Spirit knows where the enemy has hidden the landmines (sometimes land MINDS) and wants to show me where they are hidden.   I am so thankful that He doesn’t send me off with a condescending pat on the back and a trite, “Be ...

Jesus Our Baptizer

There are things in God’s Word that are absolutely amazing!   Jesus became a man. Born to a virgin woman. He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!   Because of that… Philippians 2:9 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,   10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,   11and every tongue acknowledge  that Jesus ...

How to Make BETTER Decisions

Do you hate to make decisions? Maybe you dread making decisions so you kick them down the road. Yes, we have to live with the consequences of those decisions. Yet, when you have wisdom the consequences of living with those decisions are drastically different. I didn't say information. I said wisdom. There is a drastic difference between information and wisdom. You are living in the information era. Knowledge is at your fingertips. With just a few keywords and a great search engine ...

You Need God's Wisdom and a Donkey

Jason Brown was facing a crossroad. I had never heard of Jason Brown and never dreamed when I turned on the TV in the middle of the night that I was about to hear a story that would build my faith. It would encourage me to seek God not only for provision, but for wisdom!   Not just knowledge, but wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to put knowledge in practice. That's totally different! Growing a Greener World-From Cleats to Beets was the episode name. A gardening show is a unique place ...

Celebrating Spring- Come Walk With Me

Most mornings I try to either walk on the treadmill or hop on the bike to start my day with some exercise. But a few days ago, the weather was perfect so we My husband and I decided to take our walk outside. I didn’t know how perfect the day was until I got outside. There’s this beautiful park near us with gravel trails that wind past and under beautiful live oaks along the river, but there are also dirt paths cut through the woods that zig zag along the St. John’s River. https://youtu.b...

Manifest Him

I was picking up the speaker for an event, Ms. Thelma Wells, at the airport. I positioned myself at the bottom of the escalator, so I wouldn't miss her. As I scanned each person to find Ms. Wells, I noticed a young woman. I knew immediately she was a Christian. There was something about her that made her stand out in the crowd of people hurrying to get their luggage. She was much younger than our speaker, so I kept looking.    When she got off the escalator she approached me and asked ...

Want more answered prayer?

There are so many reasons we pray...but the primary reason is we need God's involvement in our lives. We need Him!   Prayer is God's idea.  We can come boldly into His presence because of the finished work of Jesus on the cross.   One of the reasons we pray is we need...we want God to answer our prayers. Charles Finney shares a vital key for getting answers to our prayers. In this teaching I want to share that answer with you.

Arise Shine

Isaiah 60:1Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. 2For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory  will be seen upon you.   What a beautiful portion of Scripture!   What did God have in mind when He inspired the writer to pen these words?    I think it's important that we find out, so we don't miss what God has for us.  

My Eyes Are on You

Jehoshaphat knew what to do when he didn't know what to do. Let me share his powerful keys with you, so you can walk in the victory God has planned for you!   Jehoshaphat Invaded by Moab (Obadiah 1:1-14)   1It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle. 2Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the s...

Open Your Wonderful Gift

As you list your gifts, don't fail to enjoy the most wonderful gift of all because you fail to open it. Let me explain with a story. Open Your wonderful gift. You are valuable. You were made in God's image. That alone makes you priceless. Open your Bible.   Open your eyes. Open your heart. Open your worship. You are not alone. You will never outgrow your need for a Savior. Peace is not the absence of problems, it is the presence of the Prince of Peace.  

Are You Tired Tired Tired of the Pressure

    That’s strong language, huh, to beg you to do something , but I feel like it's that important. People everywhere are feeling the pressure.   The pressure is real. It’s coming from every arena of our lives. It’s hit our pocketbooks, our ability to interact with friends, jobs, activities and hobbies.   Some of it is from the natural realm and some of it is the devil. Yes. I said it. I know there’s not a devil behind every bush, buttttttt I also know there is a devil that hates...

Do You Know Him As Abba, Father?

Abba is only used 3 times in the New Testament and it is always combined with Father…Abba, Father. Could it be that the word Father is not just one more way to identify us as His child, but that it is used strategically and purposely here in Scripture? Could it be that this combination is critical in understanding Who He is as our Father?  Galatians 4:6 NLT And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Mar...

Know This and it will change how you pray!

I pray, first of all because I love God. I love His Presence. I love spending time talking to Him. I've loved God since I was a little girl and He is my dear friend.   But I also pray for results. Whether we like it or not, asking is the rule of the Kingdom. -- C. H. Spurgeon   While I don't believe we need to have all the right words to get our prayer answered, I believe what we believe when we pray definitely affects our results.   When we know, really KNOW this one...